Reading aid for handicapped persons

ABSTRACT

A learning aid for the language handicapped in which phonemic language sounds are programmed onto light-sensitive film by a recording system, and played back by a playback system which activates a plurality of vibrating bimorph pins which represent the specific phonemic language sounds and tactually stimulate the skin of the person using the learning aid. The recording system includes a plurality of individual light sources and fiber optic tubes, vertically spaced apart adjacent the film, and a recording motor which advances the film past the light sources and fiber optic tubes. Selected vertically spaced-apart channels are exposed in the film for predetermined periods of time, the patterns thus recorded on the tape being detected by a similar fiber optic-light source detection means for activating selected ones of the vibrating pins in the playback system.

United States Patent Mason et a1.

[ READING AID FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS [76] Inventors: Henry .1. Mason,1432 E. 6th St.,

Brooklyn, NY. 11235; Geoffrey A. Jones, Box 148 A, RD No. 1, Emlemton,Pa. 16373 22 Filed: Dec. 8, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 313,290

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.143,356, May 14,

1971, abandoned.

[ Feb. 19, 1974 lrazoqui 35/35 A Chevillon 35/35 A [57] ABSTRACT Alearning aid for the language handicapped in which phonemic languagesounds are programmed onto light-sensitive film by a recording system,and played back by a playback system which activates a plurality ofvibrating bimorph pins which represent the specific phonemic languagesounds and tactually stimulate the A kin of the person using thelearning The record- Clystem includes a of individual [58] Field ofSearch35/35 A; 179/1 SA; 250/219 sources and fiber optic tubes,vertically spaced apart 32 adjacent the film, and a recording motorwhich advances the film past the light sources and fiber opticReferences Cited tubes. Selected vertically spaced-apart channels areUNITED STATES PATENTS exposed in the film for predetermined periods oftime, 3,229,387 1/1966 Linvill 35 35 A the P t n thus recofdefi the pbeing detected 2 012 924 3 1935 Conklin 35 35 A X by a similar fiberoptic-light source detection means 2,517,102 8/1950 Flor I 35/35 A X foractivating selected ones of the vibrating pins in the 2,866,279 12/1958Surber I 35/35 A playback system. 3,395,247 7/1968 Fieldgate 35/35 A X3,461,303 8/1969 Hanson 250/219 DC 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 10 I2 F Wo SELECTION MEMORY POWER BUTTONS REG'STER 28f SUPPLY I I5 I R 1 1 17 18SELECTION 1 K INDICATORS K XSSJ 1 BEi D N's DRIVERS I I CANCEL BUTTONN19 1 24 I sass RECORDING 1 V CONTROL SELECTORS \ZI 22f L2 :54

23 I CLOCK Egg'f POWER x27 POWER INDICATORS SUPPLY READING AID FORHANDICAPPED PERSONS This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 143,376, filed on May 14, 1971 now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to learning aids, and in particular toa teaching aid for the language handicapped.

Conventional tactile stimulator learning aids are intended to be used byblind handicapped persons, and generally supply, as a substitute forvisual input, simulations of alphabetic characters which are sensedtactually by the handicapped person. Such learning aids, however, cannotbe used to teach language handicapped persons, such as the deaf, hard ofhearing, aphasics, the deaf-blind, and persons with auditorydiscrimination problems and reading disabilities, phonemes, the smallestof auditory speech units. The alphabetical and numerical characters, forexample, Braille characters, generally simulated by the learning aids,cannot also represent phonemes, since the coding necessary to representphonemic language units tactually differs considerably. Thus, suchconventional learning aids are useful only for teaching blindhandicapped individuals, who are afflicted with no other handicaps, toread.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a learning aid for thelanguage handicapped in which phonemic language sounds are programmedonto lightsensitive film, which is played back by a suitable systemwhich detects the language sounds on the film and acti vates a pluralityof vibrating bimorph pins which tactually stimulate the skin of theperson using the learning aid. The vibrating pins are activated inselected patterns which represent specific phonemic language sounds.

In the programming portion of the learning aid of the present invention,a speech therapist manually records those sounds which are to be used toteach the handicapped person. The programming portion of the learningaid includes a plurality of manual selection buttons, combinations ofwhich represent phonemic language sounds. A memory register in theprogramming portion stores the selections made by the therapist andtransmits each selection to a selection indicator so that the therapistcan check those made. Manual buttons on the recording portion permit thetherapist to choose one of several recording lengths, and upon choice ofone of these, light-sensitive film is moved by a suitable drivingmechanism past a recording head comprising a plurality of light sourcesand fiber optic tubes which transmit light from the sources to the filmand expose it for the recording length chosen by the therapist. Therecording head light sources and fiber optic tubes are vertically spacedapart and each is responsive to one of the selection buttons in theprogramming portion of the learning aid. The speech therapist, thus,selects the proper combination of buttons for the sound he wishes torepresent, and the recording length, which controls the duration ofvibration of the vibrating pins of the learning aid, for each specificphonemic sound to be taught to the handicapped person. In the playbackportion of the learning aid, the exposed film is moved adjacent a lightsource and a plurality of fiber optic tubes. Light passing through theexposed portions of the film activate a plurality of phototransistors,each of which is coupled to one of the vibrating pins of the learningaid. In accordance with the pattern of the exposed portions of thefilrn, selected ones of the vibrating pins are vibrated for apredetermined duration, and thus represent the phonemic sound to thehandicapped person.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide alearning aid for the language handicapped which represents phonemiclanguage sounds by means of coded tactual stimulations.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a learning aidfor the language handicapped which includes both a programming systemand a playback systern.

It is still another object of the present invention to I provide alearning aid for the language handicapped which is simple in design,easy to manufacture, and efficient and reliable in operation.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentwhen taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclosean illustrative embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood thatthe drawings are designed for the purposes of illustration only, and arenot intended as a definition of the limits and scope of the inventiondisclosed.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a recording system of a learningaid for the language handicapped, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a playback system of a learningaid for the language handicapped, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a drivercircuit for the vibrating pins and indicators of the playback system ofthe learning aid;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, side view of the vibrating board of thelearning aid, showing the vibrating bimorph pins thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the vibratingboard illustrated in FIG. 4; and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the lightsensitive film strip having a plurality of horizontal, vertical andspaced-apart exposed portions of a selected length.

Referring now to the drawings, specifically FIG. I, there is shown aschematic block diagram of the recording system of the language aid forthe handicapped of the present invention. The recording portion of thelearning aid comprises a control panel 10 on which the speech therapistmakes the selections to be recorded for use by the handicapped person. Acontrol unit 11 is coupled to the control panel 10 and controls therecording of the selections made by the speech therapist. A recordingdeck 12 is coupled to the control unit and actually records theselections made by the therapist on the film.

Control panel 10 comprises a plurality of selection buttons 13, forselecting the number of vibrating pins which are to represent a specificphonemic language sound. Each of the selection buttons is coupled to amemory register 14in control unit 11, which stores the selections madeby the therapist. The selections are detected by memory read-out drivers15 coupled to the memory register, which activate selection indicators16, such as, for example, electrical lamps, on control panel 10. Theselection buttons depressed by the speech therapist are thus representedindividually by the selection indicators. A cancel button 19 is providedon control panel 10, and is coupled to memory register 14 by an OR gate20 in logic circuit 29, for erasing the selections made if a mistake hasbeen made.

A plurality of recording selectors 21, comprising manual push buttons,are also provided on control panel for selecting the length of therecording, and, hence, the duration of the vibration of the pinsselected. The recording selectors are coupled to a timing logic circuit22 in the control unit, and to a pair of recording control gates,illustrated as AND gates 17 and 24, in logic circuit 29. A clock 23 iscoupled to timing logic circuit 22, and gate 24 and generates a signalof a specified frequency which is divided by the timing logic circuit soas to produce a plurality of recording lengths each selectable by meansof recording selectors 21. One of the input terminals of each of gates20, 17 and 24 are coupled to timing logic circuit 22, for controllingthe recording of the selections made on the control panel, and erasingthe selections made from memory register 14 after the recordingoperation has terminated. Power supply 26 supplies electrical power tothe control unit, and is coupled to a plurality of power indicators 27,such as, for example, electrical lamps, which indicate that power supply26, and the circuits of the control unit, have been activated.

Recording deck 12 has its own power supply 28, and also comprises arecording head 18 coupled to gate 17, and a recording motor and controlunit 25 coupled to gate 24. The recording head comprises a plurality ofvertically spaced-apart light sources and fiber optic tubes past whichthe light-sensitive film is moved for exposing a plurality of verticallyspaced-apart portions, comprising channels, of the film.

The operation of the programming portion of the learning aid is asfollows:

Power supply 26 is activated, and after a predetermined time period,after which the power supply stabilizes, power indicators 27 areactivated to indicate that the programming portion is ready to beginrecording. The speech therapist then makes his first single or mul tipleselection of selection buttons 13, which correspond to the phonemiclanguage sound which he wishes to record. These selections aretransmitted to memory register 14, which stores the selections. Memoryreadout drivers 15 detect the selections made and stored in memoryregister 14, and activate corresponding selection indicators 16 on thecontrol panel 10. If the therapist discovers that he has made a mistake,or if for any reason would like to change the selection, cancel button19 is depressed, and transmits a signal to gate 20 in logic circuit 29which erases the selections made in memory register 14. If theselections indicated are satisfactory to the speech therapist, one ofthe recording selectors 21 is depressed, thus selecting a specifiedrecording length, corresponding to the duration of the vibrating pins,which is desired. Clock 23 generates a signal of a predeterminedfrequency, and transmits it to the timing logic circuit, which dividesthe frequency fractionally to produce a plurality of different recordinglengths. For example, if the frequency generated by clock 23 is f, thetiming logic could divide the frequency in one half and one quarter toproduce three recording lengths,f, one halff, and one quarterf. Thetiming logic circuit divides the frequency produced by the clockcorresponding to the recording selector depressed by the speechtherapist. This frequency is transmitted to gates 20, 17 and 24 in logiccircuit 29 for controlling the'duration of the movement of the film pastthe recording head. A signal transmitted from timing logic circuit 22 togates 17 and 24 activates recording head 18 and recording motor andcontrol unit 25. The plurality of light sources in the recording headare thus selectively activated according to the selections made, and thefilm advanced past the fiber optic tubes, for exposing the channels ofthe film for the duration of the recording length selected. The signalfrom timing logic circuit 22 is also transmitted to gate 20, whicherases the selections made in memory register 14, and resets the systemfor the next recording. The film is advanced past the recording head fora fractional distance after which the exposed portions of the channelsterminate to space successive recordings apart from each other. Itshould be noted that logic circuit 29 includes a plurality of gates 20,17 and 24 for each of the recording channels. Each channel correspondsfurther to a vibrating pin which is activated by the exposed portion ofthe channel. Only one set of the gates of the logic circuit have beenillustrated in order to simplify the explanation of the operation of theinvention.

Each of the phonemic language sounds to be represented are recordedindividually by the speech therapist, and appear as a plurality ofvertically spaced apart exposed portions of a selected length on thefilm strip. A plurality of selections appear in series with each otheron the film.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a playback portion of the learning aidof the present invention. The playback portion comprises a control unit30, which includes a power supply 31 and a plurality of control pushbuttons 32. The programmed film is mounted on a pair of reels 33disposed adjacent a light source 34 and a plurality of verticallyspaced-apart, fiber-optic tubes 35. A plurality of phototransistors 36,coupled to the vertically spaced apart fiber optic tubes, detect lighttransmitted through each of the channels of film 37. An amplifier anddriver circuit 38 is coupled to the phototransistors for activating thevibrators 39, which comprise vibrating bimorph pins, and indicators 40,which comprise electrical lamps. Clock 41 is coupled to vibrators 39 andgenerates a frequency at which the vibrators vibrate in response toactivation of phototransistors 36. A motor and control switch 42,activated by power supply 43, is coupled to reels 33 for advancing film37 past light source 34 in fiber optic tubes 35. Push buttons 32 arecoupled to amplifier/driver circuit 38 to allow manual operation ofvibrators 39 and indicators 40.

The operation of the playback portion of the learning aid of theinvention operates as follows:

Power supplies 31 and 43 are activated by a suitable manual switch, andenergize the electronic circuits and motor of the playback portion ofthe learning aid. The exposed, programmed film 37 is mounted on reels33, and then advanced past the light source 34 and fiber optic tubes 35by means of the control switch 42. Light radiated from light source 34is permitted to pass through the exposed portions of the channels of thefilm, and is detected by the vertically spaced-apart fiber optic tubesand phototransistors. The phototransistor corresponding to the channelof the film which is exposed detects the light passing therethrough andtransmits a voltage signal to amplifier/driver circuit 38. Acorresponding indicator 40 and vibrator 39 are accordthe vibrating pins,which are disposed on a vibrating board, to detect the pattern ofvibrationof the vibrating pins, and thereby detect the phonemic languagesound represented. A visual representation of the phonemic languagesounds recorded is also given by the indicators of the playback portionof the learning aid. Each of the separate selections recorded on thefilm is represented by different patterns of vibrating pins sensedtactually by the handicapped person.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a driver circuit forthe playback system illustrated in FIG. 2. Terminal 44 is coupled to anamplifier which amplifies the voltage outputs of phototransistors 36 sothat the voltages activate relays 45 and 46. These relays individuallyactuate bimorph vibrating pin 48 on vibrating board 49 and electricallamp 47. DC power supply 50 is coupled by relay switch 51 to lamp 47,for energizing the lamp when it is coupled to the power supply. Relayswitch 53 couples amplifier 52 to bimorph 48. The amplifier is coupledto one of two oscillators 54 and 55 by relay switch 57 of relay 56 andmay be coupled to a manual switch for manual selection of the frequencycontrol by the speech therapist, or it may be coupled to a separatephototransistor, which is activated by one of the channels of the film,for selectively switching the frequency of vibration of the vibratingpins of the playback portion of the learning aid.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the vibrating pins and vibrating board 49.Bimorphs 58 are rigidly mounted on stationary mounting means 59, andhave a pin 60 attached to the upper end thereof which extends throughapertures in vibrating board 49 and contact the fingers of thehandicapped person using the learning aid. The number of vibrating pinswhich comprise the vibrating board are variable, as is the configurationin which they are disposed in the vibrating board. Generally speaking,16 bimorphs are preferably used to represent the phonemic languagesounds which are to be taught to the handicapped persons. However, thisnumber may vary according to the needs of the therapist and the numberof phonemic language sounds which are desired to be represented.

FIG. 6 illustrates the elongated, light-sensitive film strip accordingto the present invention. Information 37A is defined on film strip 37and is recorded thereon in a horizontal mode and represents phonemiclanguage sounds.

While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those persons sklled in the artthat many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without deaplurality of phototransistors coupled to said fiber optic tubes andresponsive to light transmitted therethrough;

a pair of spaced-apart film reels disposed on adjacent sides of saidlight source for supporting the film strip between the light source andthe fiber optic tubes;

a motor control coupled to said film reels and said phototransistors foradvancing the film strip and activating the phototransistors a pluralityof vibrating pins coupled to the output of said phototransistors andresponsive thereto, said horizontal exposed portions of the film stripand said fiber optic tubes being spaced apart at corresponding verticalpositions so that light radiated from said light source and passingthrough said exposed portions of the film strip is detected by acorresponding plurality of fiber optic tubes and transmitted to saidphototransistors, thereby selectively activating corresponding ones ofsaid plurality of vibrating pins; and

a clock generator coupled to said vibrating pins and responsive to saidphototransistors for vibrating said pins at a set frequency.

2. The learning aid as recited in claim 1, further comprising means forvisually indicating the activation of said plurality of vibrating pinsby said phototransistors.

3. The learning aid as recited in claim 2, wherein said vibrating pinseach comprise a bimorph, and a rigid pin affixed to the end of saidbimorph.

4. The learning aid as recited in claim 1, further comprising a firstrelay including a relay switch, responsive to at least one of saidphototransistors, an amplifier coupled to the switch of said relay, andmeans for generating a signal of a predetermined frequency, said signalbeing amplified by said amplifier and coupled to at least one of saidvibrating pins by said relay.

5. The learning aid as recited in claim 4, further comprising a secondrelay including a relay switch, responsive to at least one of saidphototransistors, a DC power supply coupled to said second relay switch,and at least one electrical lamp, said second relay switch coupling thepower supply to said electrical lamp when said first relay couples saidamplifier to said vibrating pin.

6. The learning aid as recited in claim 5, wherein said means forgenerating said signal of predetermined frequency comprises a thirdrelay including a relay switch, a first oscillator, and a secondoscillator, coupled to said relay, said relay selectively coupling saidfirst and second oscillators to said amplifier and said vibrating pinsand thereby controlling the frequency of vibration of said vibratingpins.

7. An apparatus for rec ording phonemic language sounds onlight-sensitive film tape and used for driving vibrating pins thatrepresent the phonemic sounds to the handicapped comprising:

a plurality of light sources;

a plurality of vertically spaced-apart fiber optic tubes coupled to saidlight sources;

means for advancing a light-sensitive film strip adjacent said fiberoptic tubes; and

means for controlling the illumination of said light sources thatincludes a plurality of selection buttons for selecting the lightsources to be activated, wherein said light sources corresponding to thevibrating pins activated by the film strip, means for for selecting oneof said recording length signals and 1 thereby selecting the recordinglength, and means responsive to said timing logic circuit, for advancingsaid film strip past said fiber optic tubes.

9. A learning aid for the language handicapped, comprising:

an elongated light-sensitive film strip having a plurality ofhorizontal, vertically spaced-apart exposed portions of a selectedlength, said exposed portions representing phonemic language sounds;

a light source;

a plurality of vertically spaced-apart fiber optic tubes disposedadjacent said light source;

a plurality of phototransistors coupled to said fiber optic tubes andresponsive to light transmittedthrethrough;

means for advancing said film between said light source and said fiberoptic tubes;

a plurality of vibrating pins coupled to said phototransistors andresponsive thereto, whereby light passing though said exposed portionsof said film strip is transmitted by said fiber optic tubes to saidphototransistors for activating said vibrating pins; and

means, for recording phonemic language sounds on light-sensitive filmthat includes a plurality of light sources, a plurality of verticallyspaced-apart fiber optic tubes coupled to said light sources, means foradvancing a light-sensitive film strip adjacent said fiber optic tubes,and means for controlling the illumination of said light sources so thatselected ones of said plurality of light sources are illuminated as saidfilm strip is moved adjacent said fiber optic tubes to thereby exposeselected vertically spaced-apart horizontal portions of said film stripfor a predetermined length.

1. A learning aid for the language handicapped comprising: an elongatedfilm strip having a plurality of horizontal, vertically spaced-apartexposed portions of a selected length representing phonemic languagesounds; a light source; a plurality of vertically spaced-apart fiberoptic tubes disposed adjacent said light source; a plurality ofphototransistors coupled to said fiber optic tubes and responsive tolight transmitted therethrough; a pair of spaced-apart film reelsdisposed on adjacent sides of said light source for supporting the filmstrip between the light source and the fiber optic tubes; a motorcontrol coupled to said film reels and said phototransistors foradvancing the film strip and activating the phototransistors a pluralityof vibrating pins coupled to the output of said phototransistors andresponsive thereto, said horizontal exposed portions of the film stripand said fiber optic tubes being spaced apart at corresponding verticalpositions so that light radiated from said light source and passingthrough said exposed portions of the film strip is detected by acorresponding plurality of fiber optic tubes and transmitted to saidphototransistors, thereby selectively activating corresponding ones ofsaid plurality of vibrating pins; and a clock generator coupled to saidvibrating pins and responsive to said phototransistors for vibratingsaid pins at a set frequency.
 2. The learning aid as recited in claim 1,further comprising means for visually inDicating the activation of saidplurality of vibrating pins by said phototransistors.
 3. The learningaid as recited in claim 2, wherein said vibrating pins each comprise abimorph, and a rigid pin affixed to the end of said bimorph.
 4. Thelearning aid as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first relayincluding a relay switch, responsive to at least one of saidphototransistors, an amplifier coupled to the switch of said relay, andmeans for generating a signal of a predetermined frequency, said signalbeing amplified by said amplifier and coupled to at least one of saidvibrating pins by said relay.
 5. The learning aid as recited in claim 4,further comprising a second relay including a relay switch, responsiveto at least one of said phototransistors, a DC power supply coupled tosaid second relay switch, and at least one electrical lamp, said secondrelay switch coupling the power supply to said electrical lamp when saidfirst relay couples said amplifier to said vibrating pin.
 6. Thelearning aid as recited in claim 5, wherein said means for generatingsaid signal of predetermined frequency comprises a third relay includinga relay switch, a first oscillator, and a second oscillator, coupled tosaid relay, said relay selectively coupling said first and secondoscillators to said amplifier and said vibrating pins and therebycontrolling the frequency of vibration of said vibrating pins.
 7. Anapparatus for recording phonemic language sounds on light-sensitive filmtape and used for driving vibrating pins that represent the phonemicsounds to the handicapped comprising: a plurality of light sources; aplurality of vertically spaced-apart fiber optic tubes coupled to saidlight sources; means for advancing a light-sensitive film strip adjacentsaid fiber optic tubes; and means for controlling the illumination ofsaid light sources that includes a plurality of selection buttons forselecting the light sources to be activated, wherein said light sourcescorresponding to the vibrating pins activated by the film strip, meansfor storing the selections made by said selection buttons, means forindicating the selections made, and a logic circuit coupled to saidlight sources and said storing means for selectively activating saidlight sources in response to the selections made by said selectionbuttons.
 8. The learning aid as recited in claim 7, wherein saidrecording means further comprises a clock, for generating a recordinglength signal at a specified frequency, a timing logic circuit coupledto said clock, for dividing the frequency of said clock signalfractionally to form a plurality of different recording length signals,means for selecting one of said recording length signals and therebyselecting the recording length, and means responsive to said timinglogic circuit, for advancing said film strip past said fiber optictubes.
 9. A learning aid for the language handicapped, comprising: anelongated light-sensitive film strip having a plurality of horizontal,vertically spaced-apart exposed portions of a selected length, saidexposed portions representing phonemic language sounds; a light source;a plurality of vertically spaced-apart fiber optic tubes disposedadjacent said light source; a plurality of phototransistors coupled tosaid fiber optic tubes and responsive to light transmitted threthrough;means for advancing said film between said light source and said fiberoptic tubes; a plurality of vibrating pins coupled to saidphototransistors and responsive thereto, whereby light passing throughsaid exposed portions of said film strip is transmitted by said fiberoptic tubes to said phototransistors for activating said vibrating pins;and means, for recording phonemic language sounds on light-sensitivefilm that includes a plurality of light sources, a plurality ofvertically spaced-apart fiber optic tubes coupled to said light sources,means for advancing a light-sensitive film strip adjacent said fiberoptic tubes, and means for controlling the illumination of said lightsources so that selected ones of said plurality of light sources areilluminated as said film strip is moved adjacent said fiber optic tubesto thereby expose selected vertically spaced-apart horizontal portionsof said film strip for a predetermined length.